Video: Is Offering Coffee and Gifting Flowers on March 8 Acceptable? Vardanian to Deputy Minister

Are offering coffee, gifting flowers on March 8, or inviting someone to lunch and covering the bill acceptable gifts from a legal standpoint? This question was raised by Vladimir Vardanian, the chairman of the National Assembly's State Legal Committee, directed at Deputy Minister of Justice Karen Karapetian during a committee meeting.

“We are moving towards the restriction of accepting any gift in connection with official duties, with any gift exceeding 160,000 drams, except for those received from close relatives, ultimately becoming ‘taboo’. Considering the symbolism of March 8 gifts and being confident that they are not intended to exert influence over your colleagues, I believe you will not feel constrained in extending your congratulations,” Vardanian stated. The deputy minister responded, “I apologize for throwing that fire at you, Mr. Vardanian.”